My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her

is

motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a

stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake,

a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel

must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

her eyes and make

must blow out

her head to indicate to Julian that there was

sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young

found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height

clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she

thank you!” their parents

paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community

the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank

“The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about

I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for

regretting bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately,

turned and headed

she was inside her apartment

a loud slam, the door was propped open by

face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar

he out on

the house

you’ve been getting along

two steps back.

he pulled off his necktie and

unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

approached her, forcing

had no idea

hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him